Payment processing solutions, Specialization in high-risk industries, Industries served include E-commerce, gaming, and adult entertainment, Support for businesses with high transaction volumes, Offers charge back protection and fraud prevention services
2013
Payment processing solutions, Specialization in high-risk industries, Industries served include E-commerce, gaming, and adult entertainment, Support for businesses with high transaction volumes, Offers charge back protection and fraud prevention services
2013
Web Design
2016
Web Design
2016
Payment processing, Specific high-risk industries: Adult entertainment, gaming, subscription services, tele marketing, and more.
1988
Payment processing, Specific high-risk industries: Adult entertainment, gaming, subscription services, tele marketing, and more.
1988
Payment Processing and Card Services
2021
Payment Processing and Card Services
2021
Payment Processing
2013
Payment Processing
2013
Specializes in high-risk payment processing, Serves high-risk industries, Industries may include:, Adult entertainment, Gambling, Online dating, Travel, E-commerce, Subscription services
1997
Specializes in high-risk payment processing, Serves high-risk industries, Industries may include:, Adult entertainment, Gambling, Online dating, Travel, E-commerce, Subscription services
1997
Payment processing solutions
2011
Payment processing solutions
2011
Lending and Financing
2000
Lending and Financing
2000
Financial Services
1991
Financial Services
1991
Payment processing, Examples of high-risk industries: E-commerce, adult entertainment, travel, gaming, and subscription services
1994
Payment processing, Examples of high-risk industries: E-commerce, adult entertainment, travel, gaming, and subscription services
1994
Restaurant Point of Sale, Serves High-risk industries: No
2002
Restaurant Point of Sale, Serves High-risk industries: No
2002
Financial services and banking technology, Serves High-risk industries: No
1976
Financial services and banking technology, Serves High-risk industries: No
1976
Payment processing and gateway services
1998
Payment processing and gateway services
1998
Payment processing solutions
2016
Payment processing solutions
2016
Payments and Merchant Services
2010
Payments and Merchant Services
2010
Payment processing solutions
1997
Payment processing solutions
1997
Payment processing for businesses, Focus on: Ethical and socially responsible businesses, including cannabis, adult, and nonprofit sectors
2007
Payment processing for businesses, Focus on: Ethical and socially responsible businesses, including cannabis, adult, and nonprofit sectors
2007
Payment processing and merchant services
2007
Payment processing and merchant services
2007
Payment processing services
2008
Payment processing services
2008
Payment processing, Specific high-risk sectors include: E-commerce, adult entertainment, travel, and subscription services.
2004
Payment processing, Specific high-risk sectors include: E-commerce, adult entertainment, travel, and subscription services.
2004
Payment Depot stands out with its subscription-based pricing model, which eliminates percentage-based markups on transactions. This structure makes it particularly cost-effective for high-volume businesses, providing significant savings over traditional payment processors. Additionally, Payment Depot offers transparent fees, strong fraud prevention tools, and seamless integrations with e-commerce platforms and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Electronic Merchant Systems (EMS) stands out for its comprehensive suite of services, offering tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes. From point-of-sale (POS) systems to e-commerce gateways, EMS covers a wide range of payment needs while emphasizing customer support. Its customizable payment options and advanced reporting tools make it ideal for businesses that value flexibility and insights into their financial performance.
The Card Association stands out for its role as an industry leader in compliance and risk management services. It supports merchants with secure payment processing solutions, offers fraud prevention tools, and provides valuable educational resources to navigate the complexities of the payment ecosystem. Businesses seeking a partner with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and security will find The Card Association an excellent choice.
360 Payment Solutions, Inc. is recognized for its flexibility and tailored payment processing services. Its ability to integrate seamlessly with various POS systems and backend software makes it an excellent choice for businesses seeking operational efficiency. Additionally, the company provides detailed reporting tools and multi-currency support, catering to diverse merchant needs.
MBNCARD, Inc. stands out for its dual expertise in secure identification and payment processing, offering a blend of high-quality smart card solutions and robust payment technologies. With a focus on compliance and advanced security measures, MBNCARD caters to industries with stringent security requirements, such as government and healthcare.
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. is a leader in delivering comprehensive software and payment solutions tailored to financial institutions. Its robust offerings include core banking systems, digital banking platforms, and payment processing services, all backed by a strong focus on security and regulatory compliance.
eWAY stands out as a trusted payment processor for online businesses. With a focus on secure, efficient transactions, eWAY provides seamless integration with e-commerce platforms and robust fraud detection tools, making it a solid choice for merchants seeking reliable and customizable payment processing solutions.
PAYARC excels in offering a wide range of payment processing solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes. With customizable integration options, user-friendly tools, and a focus on fraud protection, PAYARC makes it easy for merchants to streamline their payment processes. It provides solid support for e-commerce, retail, and B2B businesses, emphasizing flexibility and cost transparency.
National Transaction Corporation offers a well-rounded suite of payment processing services designed to support businesses of all sizes, including credit card processing, mobile payments, and e-commerce solutions. Their focus on security, compliance, and flexibility makes them a strong contender for businesses looking to safeguard transaction data while enhancing payment functionality.
Bank Card Brokers specializes in offering flexible, tailored payment processing services for a wide range of industries, including high-risk sectors like online gambling, pharmaceuticals, and firearms. Their ability to provide customized merchant accounts, robust fraud prevention tools, and comprehensive support for both retail and e-commerce businesses makes them a top choice for businesses looking for reliable and secure payment solutions.
Beacon Payments, LLC excels at providing tailored payment processing solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. By acting as an intermediary between merchants and payment processors, they offer a variety of services including credit card processing, POS systems, and mobile payment solutions. Their focus on compliance, security, and dedicated customer support makes them an attractive choice for businesses seeking flexibility and reliability in managing payments.
Netcom PaySystem is designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses by offering payment processing solutions that ensure flexibility, security, and seamless integration. Their platform supports various payment methods, including point-of-sale systems, mobile payments, and online gateways. With a focus on operational efficiency and compliance, Netcom PaySystem helps businesses stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Payment gateways start when a customer enters their payment details. This info is encrypted to keep it safe from hackers. Then, it's sent securely to the payment processor or bank.
The next step is when the processor talks to the card network, like Visa or Mastercard. They check if the customer has enough money and if the transaction is safe. If everything checks out, the money moves from the customer's bank to the merchant's.
A payment gateway and a payment processor are both important components of online transactions, but they serve different functions.
A payment gateway acts as a bridge between the customer and the merchant, securely transmitting payment information from the customer to the payment processor. It encrypts sensitive data and ensures a smooth transaction process, providing an interface for customers to enter their payment details.
On the other hand, a payment processor is responsible for handling the transaction once the data is received. It communicates with the customer's bank or financial institution to authorize the payment, then transfers the funds to the merchant's account.
Essentially, the payment gateway initiates and secures the transaction, while the payment processor finalizes it. Both work together to ensure a seamless and secure payment experience.
The right payment gateway provider boosts your transaction speed and profits. To find the best, look at a few important factors.
Payment gateways charge different rates based on transaction volume, location, and the type of service provided. The fees can vary from a flat rate per transaction to a percentage of the sale or a combination of both. Be sure to understand the fee structure, including:
Comparing transaction fees from different providers is a must when choosing one that provides the best value for your business, especially if you're dealing with high transaction volumes or smaller sales amounts.
Choose a provider that offers a wide range of payment options to cater to your customer base. The more flexible your payment options, the more likely you are to provide a smooth, convenient experience for your customers. Common options include:
Make sure the gateway supports the methods your customers are most likely to use, whether you're operating locally or globally.
Security is a critical aspect of choosing a payment gateway, as it protects both your business and your customers from fraud and data breaches. Key security features to look for include:
A provider with strong security measures helps build customer trust and ensures compliance with legal and industry regulations.
Ensure that the payment gateway you choose integrates seamlessly with your website, e-commerce platform, or accounting system. This allows for a smooth checkout experience and efficient processing of payments. Some things to consider include:
The easier it is to integrate with your current setup, the more time and effort you save in the long run.
Payment-related issues can directly affect your business operations, that’s why the customer support is important. Key considerations include:
Good customer support ensures you can resolve any payment issues quickly, minimizing disruption to your business.
The speed at which transactions are processed can impact both customer satisfaction and your cash flow. Consider the following:
Faster processing and settlement ensure a better experience for your customers and help you manage your business finances more effectively.
If your business targets customers from different countries, you’ll need a gateway that supports international transactions. Look for providers that offer:
A global payment gateway enables you to expand your customer base without worrying about payment barriers.
The reputation of the payment gateway provider plays a major role in your decision-making process. Some ways to assess a provider’s reliability include:
A reputable provider ensures your business will be supported by a stable, trustworthy service.
A smooth refund and dispute resolution process helps in maintaining good customer relationships. Key features include:
A provider with an efficient dispute and refund process can save you time and prevent loss of revenue.
Depending on the nature of your business, you may require additional features that can enhance your payment gateway service, such as:
Choosing a provider that offers these additional features can streamline your operations and provide a better customer experience.
Investing in a solid payment gateway provider is ensures the security, efficiency, and scalability of your business transactions. A reliable gateway facilitates smooth, fast, and secure payment processing, offering peace of mind to both you and your customers. It supports a wide range of payment methods, enhances customer trust with top-notch security features, and ensures compliance with industry standards.
Choosing the right provider can improve your cash flow with faster transaction processing and settlement times, while also offering valuable features like fraud prevention and detailed analytics. Ultimately, a solid payment gateway enhances your business’s overall performance and helps you build long-term customer loyalty.
Our editorial team evaluates payment gateways through a comprehensive analysis of features, pricing, and usability. We gather data directly from company websites, product documentation, and user reviews. Additionally, we speak with company representatives and test product demos when available to ensure a hands-on understanding of their offerings. Our methodology ensures that the ratings reflect the practical needs of businesses across various industries.
We assess payment gateways across six categories, weighted based on their importance to business operations. Each gateway’s score is determined by a weighted average across these categories:
We prioritize transparent pricing and affordability.</summary> We evaluate the overall cost structure, which includes transaction fees (percentages and flat fees), monthly service fees, setup costs, and additional fees such as chargebacks or gateway fees. We aim for gateways with clear and predictable pricing, helping businesses easily budget for their payment processing needs. Flexibility in pricing plans, including tiered and subscription-based models, also factors in heavily.
We assess the variety and quality of hardware options such as card readers, terminals, and other peripherals that integrate with the payment gateway. We also evaluate the robustness of the software solutions provided, including POS apps, mobile payment solutions, fraud prevention tools, and reporting tools. The ability to customize software and hardware to suit business needs is also an important factor.
We focus on the system’s overall capabilities, such as supporting multiple payment methods (credit/debit cards, ACH, digital wallets, etc.), integrations with accounting and eCommerce platforms, mobile payment options, multi-currency support, and recurring billing capabilities. Additional features like fraud prevention, chargeback management, and loyalty programs are highly valued.
We evaluate how easy it is for both merchants and customers to use the payment gateway. This includes the user interface design, the setup process, and how intuitive the system is to navigate for both experienced and new users. A clean and simple user experience is critical for businesses looking to streamline operations and reduce training time.
We evaluate the availability of customer support channels (phone, email, live chat), response times, and the effectiveness of the solutions provided. Gateways offering 24/7 support and comprehensive self-service resources such as knowledge bases and FAQs are highly rated.
We look at the flexibility of contract terms, including the availability of month-to-month agreements, cancellation policies, and the presence of free trials or money-back guarantees. Gateways with more flexible terms allow businesses to test services without long-term commitments and make changes if the solution no longer fits their needs.
We regularly update our data points to reflect changes in pricing, features, or policies. Our ratings serve as a guide, but we recommend businesses compare multiple providers to find the best fit for their unique needs.